Ojalá is a Spanish word of Arabic origin that is used to express a desire or hope for something. It can be translated as I hope, Hopefully or I wish.
There are two main ways to use ojalá:
1. OJALÁ AS AN INTERJECTION
Ojalá can function independently as an interjection. In this case, it expresses a wish or hope without being followed by any other word. It can be translated as “I hope so!”, “I wish!” or “Hopefully!”. For example:
Quiero que mi equipo gane. ¡Ojalá!
I want my team to win. Hopefully!
Espero que tengas un buen día. ¡Ojalá!
I hope you have a good day. I wish!
2. OJALÁ AS PART OF A FULL SENTENCE
In this case, it can be consider an adverb, modifying the following verb or the whole sentence.
In this case, ojalá is usually followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. There are four main ways we can use ojalá as part of a sentence:
A. To talk about something we hope will happen in the future:
Ojalá (que) Juana baile salsa mañana.
I hope Juana dances salsa tomorrow.
In this case, the verb following ojalá goes in the present subjunctive.
B. To talk about something we’re not sure if it’s happening at the moment.
Ojalá Juana esté bailando salsa en este preciso momento.
I hope Juana is dancing salsa right now.
In this case, the verb following ojalá goes in the progressive present subjunctive.
C. To talk about a hypothetical present that isn’t happening at the moment, but we’d like it to happen.
1. If we want it to reflect a general situation, we usually employ the simple aspect:
Ojalá Juana supiera bailar salsa
I wish Juana knew how to dance salsa.
In this case, the verb following ojalá goes in the past subjunctive.
2. If we want it to stress something that isn’t happening right now, we usually employ the progressive aspect:
Ojalá Juana estuviera bailando salsa en este preciso momento.
I wish Juana were dancing salsa right now.
In this case, the verb following ojalá goes in the progressive past subjunctive.
D. To talk about a made-up past that didn’t really happen, but we kinda wish it did.
Ojalá Juana hubiera bailado salsa ayer.
I wish Juana had danced salsa yesterday.
In this case, the verb following ojalá goes in the pluperfect subjunctive.
There are even more possibilities. But I think it’s enough for now!
